Astrology

Saturn

Most people know their Sun sign mainly due to popular Sun sign horoscopes. Fortunately, there is a lot more to astrology than a Sun sign and there are important distinctions to make when you begin to learn more about astrology.
The 3 ”pillars” of a natal chart are the Sun, the Moon and the Rising sign. Your Sun sign might not be the same as your Moon sign or your Rising sign.

If you want to find out more about your birth chart, you can contact me right here or you can head over toastro.com and generate your birth chart for free!

SUN IN AQUARIUS ⊙♒

Aquarius Sun folks are involuntary trend setters. The reason for this is their ability to step outside of the mold while imagining new ones. They have the knack for creating pathways in places where no one dares to go. Their unusual mind tend to be interested in developing new and better ways of doing things. Creative genius, their energy is usually invested in alternative modalities or different modes of thinking. Aquarius Sun people know what it means to be an outsider, for this reason they are often interested in bringing their contribution to the underdog and the marginalized. Their attention being mostly oriented in the realm of ideas, Aquarius Sun people invest a lot of their energies conceptualizing new and better structures. Although these Aquarians can become extremely stubborn in pursuing their vision, they remain non-the-less interested in novelties and open to anything that can better their understanding of what it means to be human.

The image: A Humanist

MOON IN AQUARIUS ☽♒

If you have the privilege to be acquainted with an Aquarius Moon, then you know these folks enjoy their solitude and personal time. These mysterious creatures are difficult to get know. The invisible boundaries that delineates the perimeters of their heart is such that no one can truly understand what goes on in their inner world. Moon in Aquarius folks are extremely kind and compassionate individuals and value their connections. However, they remain mostly misunderstood by their surroundings because of their seemingly aloof and detached nature. Philanthropist at heart, Aquarius Moon sensitivity is awaken by the injustice of this world. They are the first one to give the shirt off their back if someone is in need. These Aquarians are for the most part non-materialistic and happy to go without if they know it will help the less fortunate. There is perhaps only one thing that an Aquarius Moon would not give freely, and that is their alone time.

The Image: A Grand Canyon

AQUARIUS RISING Asc♒

If you know your astrology, then you know that the rising sign is often linked to the physical appearance. Aquarius rising people usually have a distinctive look. Most people have a doppelgänger and were told at some point in their lives that they look like someone else. This is less common with Aquarius rising folks, not because of some eccentric feature but simply because of their unique karisma. These Aquarians are quirky and individualistic, and their preoccupations often brings them to be deeply involved in their field of interest. Intellectuals by nature, Aquarius rising are inhabited by the zeitgeist of the past, present, and future. Time has a special meaning for these folks, and their actions are often motivated by change and legacy as oppose to personal recognition. Activist by nature, you can find the Aquarius rising hard at work, leading the way towards lasting changes in their social sphere, and in the world at large.

“Do what he will, he [the profane man] is an inheritor. He cannot utterly abolish his past, since he himself is a product of his past. He forms himself by a series of denials and refusals, but he continues to be haunted by the realities that he has refused and denied. ― Mircea Eliade

The second of two eclipses this month comes with the New Moon in Aquarius on February 15 at 4:05pm ET.

It takes place at 27º of Aquarius, only a few days before the Sun’s ingress into the Water sign of Pisces. This partial eclipse is near the Dragon’s Tail aka the South Node of the Moon which is in part connected to a dissolution process.

In the last few weeks, Venus, Mercury and the Sun all met with the South Node of the Moon. This had the effect of dredging up all sorts of gunk from the bottom of our psyche which is ready to be cleansed and expelled back into the void.

“There is a face beneath this mask, but it isn’t me. I’m no more that face than I am the muscles beneath it, or the bones beneath that.” ― Steve Moore, V for Vendetta

Aquarius is a Fixed Air sign traditionally ruled by Saturn. The purifying Waters of the water bearer cleanse the heart and clarifies the mind. Since the beginning of February, residues from past emotional burdens have been floating around on the surface of our awareness like dead skin on the surface of water. The dim light of the Sun in the sign of Aquarius allowed for a sort of detachment in regards to these afflictions, and perhaps the ability to find rational solutions for twisted emotional conundrums. The rays of the Sun are pale in the midst of Winter, and illumination comes from within.
The Full Moon in Leo on January 31st, served to highlight what weighs heavy on our heart but also connected us to our heart’s longing. The New Moon in Aquarius on February 15, stirs in us the potentialities of ideas born from these longings which in turn conjures new creative impulses deep inside of us. We can imagine a new trajectory for ourselves; will we have the courage to follow through?

Although still in their abstract forms, we can intuit the shape of things to come. New seeds are now being planted in foreign soil as we gaze on the vast territories of future promises. We must accept estrangement and embrace this liminal space for the time being as we fuel on the creative fires. The eclipses on the Leo/Aquarius axis ask that we have the courage of our ideals and the willingness to break our own rules in order to reach them. Nothing new is born in conformity and we must depart from the known if we are to realize what our heart longs for. We must also be willing to walk away from our love of approval and this is perhaps the most difficult task.

Unbelonging looms large in the uncharted Aquarian world, and seeking ”likes” and acknowledgment will only lead to disappointment. The resolute heart must find support within himself.

At the time of the New Moon, Saturn, the traditional ruler of Aquarius sextiles Venus in Pisces. This aspect speaks of calibrating our desires in a realistic framework, finding the sweet spot within our limitations and perhaps, the right measure of inspiration and work. Saturn in its home sign of Capricorn and Venus in the sign of her exaltation, dispense the proper tools for those who know how to utilize them. This aspect is also about maturity within our relationship and the realistic appraisal of our desire nature.

At the time of the New Moon, Uranus, the modern ruler of Aquarius sextiles Mercury in Aquarius. This aspect speaks of an urge to break away from limiting through patterns and complicated situations/emotions that limits our vision. Mercury in Aquarius still squaring Jupiter in Scorpio is all about the honest appraisal of these complicated situations/emotions and perhaps unacknowledged desires that could be holding us back from truly breaking free from restrictions.

We must first clean out our basement before we can totally move out. Mars in Sagittarius applying to square Neptune in Pisces at the time of the New Moon, promises to blur and confuse this process. Ensuring that we are aiming at the proper target requires an honest assessment of the motivations hiding behind our arrows. Clarifying our intent is half the battle and our ability to differentiate the ideal from the real will take us a bit closer to the realization of our vision for the future.

Hula Hoop Light Painting Photography by Grant Mallory

Life is one big road with lots of signs. So when you riding through the ruts, don’t complicate your mind. Flee from hate, mischief and jealousy. Don’t bury your thoughts, put your vision to reality. Wake Up and Live! -Bob Marley

Mercury will (appear to) be moving backward in the sign of Sagittarius from December 3rd to December 22/23rd, 2017. Retrograde periods highlight the need to organize, revise and reenvison aspects of our lives. Sometimes this happens voluntarily and sometime it is imposed on us by unforeseen circumstances.

To understand how this might affect you, locate the house with Sagittarius on the cusp in your birth chart; the affairs of that house will be up for review. If you have an Ascendant, Sun, Moon or Mercury in the sign of Sagittarius or Gemini, this retrograde will be more significant especially if your Ascendant or planet is between 13º and 29º of either signs.

WHAT TO DO DURING THIS UPCOMING RETROGRADE?

Sort out what matters and what doesn’t anymore.

Discard old ideas and beliefs that have become burdensome or obsolete.

Contemplate the passage of time and what it means to be growing older and wiser.

Acknowledge what you want in the grand scheme of things, versus what you do on a day-to-day basis to get there.

Honesty and moral courage will be highlighted during this time.

When the desire to find the truth becomes a rhetorical dead-end, what’s next?

At its worst, this retrograde could bring gloomy or depressive thinking, a loss of faith or a feeling of being blocked by something beyond your control.

There could be an urge to control your thoughts and a difficulty expressing yourself freely. In some circumstances, you might need to ”Let go and Let God”.

In other circumstances you might need to seriously consider rectifying something that has become out of control.

What happens when the sacrifice you are making are loosing their meaning?

What happens when the path you are on is NOT leading you where you want to go?

Taking a step back from something in order to gain perspective and looking at the big picture.

Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius could mean: A re-evaluation of your core beliefs, a shift of perspective, a change of direction and a quest for meaning.

What does ”control” means to you? Do you consider yourself a control-freak? If so, what step can you take to release the grip?

It’s a great time to reflect on social-media, the place it has in your life and how you utilize this tool to your advantage or disadvantage.

IDEAS, DISCIPLINE, AND VISION-SHAPING

If you have a BIG idea or if you are working towards a goal, this retrograde will help you refine your vision.

The awareness needed to gage the REAL amount of work needed to accomplish a goal will be available; don’t let this clarity become a burden and use it to your advantage.

From now until mid-January is your opportunity to write your plan or revise the existing one.

If you are contemplating a new path, a new venture, or a new way of doing things, this retrograde will help you delineate your course of action.

This retrograde is about setting realistic goals, the willingness to roll up your sleeves, and the willingness to invest the time and effort necessary.

Inspiration and creative ideas are available but will remain in the realm of possibilities as long as you don’t take concrete steps; thinking about something doesn’t make it happen.

If the time has come to realize an idea or a project, it is up to you to act on it before someone else does.

From now until mid-January is your opportunity to scheme; discipline is available.

Things may take longer than anticipated; be pragmatic and realistic when delineating your plan without becoming defeatist.

The reality is, things take time; don’t let this fact discourage you.

☿

To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom. –Bertrand Russell

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Mercury retrograde begins on December 3rd and ends on December 22/23rd, 2017. Saturn is a big player in this upcoming retrograde. Whatever transpires of this cycle could play out until mid-January when Mercury meets up with Saturn for its 3rd and final conjunction in the sign of Capricorn.Since the ruler of Mercury in Sagittarius is Jupiter in Scorpio, the themes of secrecy and revelations will continue to be strongly highlighted.

Mercury trine Uranus on November 25th before meeting up with Saturn on November 28th and turning retrograde on December 3rd. An emerging idea, a revelation, a new situation, a vision, or simply a new approach to an old conundrum could be a strong theme in December. The shape of things to come, an idea and the discipline required to materialize it, will be strong undercurrents.

On December 3rd, Jupiter in Scorpio (ruling over Mercury) trine Neptune in Pisces while Mercury stations retrograde. There is also a Full Moon in Gemini on the same day ruled by Mercury retrograde. There is an overwhelming amount of work and so much things to think about. You might be tempted to find the closest escape route. Don’t let anxiety or fear cripple your mind. A good day to practice breathing exercise and meditation. This Full Moon highlights the dichotomy between beliefs and facts, visions and ideas, and the realization that it will take a lot more work than originally thought to get where we want to be.

The New Moon in Sagittarius on December 17 will see its ruler Jupiter in Scorpio, square the Nodes of the Moon while Mercury retrograde in Sagittarius trine the Nodes. On December 21st, Saturn enters Capricorn and Mercury station direct the next day; destiny is calling.

The Moon is in Pisces and will meet Neptune later tonight. This can be both mystical and transcending as the Sun (in Scorpio) and the Moon are in deeply intimate waters right now. We could feel more impressionable and inspired with our attention turned towards spiritual matters.

Tomorrow night, the Moon in Pisces will conjunct Chiron and trigger the Chiron/Saturn square, just in time for Halloween.

The Chiron/Saturn square is the big signature aspect this week and it is both difficult and rewarding. We could be aware of old wounds while also being ready to move on from that space of hurt.

This aspect is a mixture of realization around painful truth and healing. You could feel sensitive and self-conscious of your downfalls while experiencing some closure around them. It’s like having the raw awareness of where it hurts in order to locate the pain, forgive yourself and hopefully move on.

It’s hard and edgy but also rewarding if you make the effort to be honest with yourself. It calls for maturity around our most vulnerable selves.

“I said: what about my eyes?
He said: Keep them on the road.

I said: What about my passion?
He said: Keep it burning.

I said: What about my heart?
He said: Tell me what you hold inside it?

I said: Pain and sorrow.
He said: Stay with it.
The wound is the place where the Light enters you.”

Monday opens with the Moon in the last degrees of Taurus on the Fixed star Algol or the Head of Medusa; don’t lose your mind. We are building towards the Jupiter/Uranus opposition that will be exact on the 27/28 of September. This is a revolutionary aspect which is excellent for visionaries and artists and for people who have the ability to see the silver lining in chaotic circumstances but also have the guts to do things differently. On a mundane level it can feel destabilizing if you are holding to the status quo at all cost or need predictable outcomes. Small and large shifts are happening in our awareness and in the world at large and intuition is at an all time high. Flashes of insights and new bold ideas are available if you adjust your vision. With Uranus in Aries closing in on its opposition to Jupiter in Libra there is an urge to liberate ourselves while also searching for ”the other” to reflect us. It can feel polarizing to oscillate between our need for freedom and liberation versus our need for feedback, fairness and equilibrium.

The Moon enters Gemini at 15:30 EDT on Monday which will accentuate the current Mercury/Mars conjunction building up in Virgo. The next 2 days are excellent for analyzing, editing, and cutting through the superfluous. The mind can have a tendency to race and anxiety will be higher than usual. Finding the right measure of applied diligence and focus is possible as long as we don’t scatter ourselves. Mindfulness and disconnecting from the media, the internet and the constant chatter is one of the best remedies for this kind of astrological weather. Difficulties with communication, getting our message across, misunderstandings and harsh words are possible with the Mercury/Mars conjunction building up and, so are fried phones and electronics.

With the last quarter Moon in Gemini we can feel stimulated, talkative, and curious but there is also the tendency to get lost in chatter instead of being productive. Basically, don’t fry your brain with coffee and stress and find the right balance of intellectual work and simple manual or physical work. We could have the urge to communicate in many directions at once but essentially we can only do one thing at a time. Give your brain the right intellectual food and remember that words and symbols can be very powerful in shaping our experience of reality; use them wisely.
The last quarter Moon in Gemini supports finalizing the details of a project or idea that began at the New Moon/Solar Eclipse in Leo on August 21st.

Venus in Leo trine Saturn in Sagittarius on Tuesday and this is a supportive but also sobering aspect in regards to relationship. We could feel serious and more realistic about our desires. Long-term commitments and maturity could feel more important at the moment and feelings could be reserved and controlled. Venus trine Saturn is beneficial for artist and creators who are looking to structure and give shape to their muse. This can be a productive time for creative work, social engagements, and public relations.

On Wednesday night the Moon enters her own sign of Cancer and this should help ease the mental tension creating a fluid and intuitive rhythm until Friday night.

Even though we are in the darkest of the Moon (before the New Moon in Virgo on September 20th) the weekend will feel quite dynamic with the Moon entering the Fire sign of Leo late on Friday night and Mercury and Mars perfecting their conjunction in Virgo on Saturday, September 16. Conversation around pride, identity, the need for acknowledgement and having the courage to express oneself truthfully and courageously will all be aroused.

Venus is currently in the first decan of Leo and she is pretty much doing her own thing. Which also mean she is harder to access. Most of the action is happening in the later part of Leo. On Sunday we have a Mercury/Mars conjunction at 28 Leo on the eclipse degree. This will most likely bring heated debates and bold conversations. Watch out for the big egos out there.

Today, the Moon is in the Earth sign of Capricorn and will join Pluto in a few hours and then square Jupiter in Libra. The Sun is in the sign of Virgo which is also an Earth sign.

It’s a great day to roll up our sleeves and attend to the nitty gritty details of our lives. We could feel the pressure of deadlines and all that still needs to be accomplished to get where we want to be. ♌︎

The Sun in Virgo and the Moon in Capricorn (both Earth signs) are looking for tangible results and practicalities. Don’t let status anxiety or the fear of not being good enough override this productive period. Return to basics and be grateful for what you CAN accomplish. Let go of the desire to have everything done immediately and be patient with the process.

Since it’s Venus day and Venus is all about pleasure and beauty, make some time to indulge and have fun today.

Venus loves beauty and ease; she is not interested in getting her hands dirty.

Stop and smell the flowers, create space for harmony, tranquility and peace to enter your sphere. Visit an art gallery, take pictures, listen to music, get a massage, eat delicious foods, and most importantly, indulge in what makes you feel beautiful and content.

”You cannot cross your own shadow however much you haste–it is always exactly ahead of your grasp. Sight cannot approach its objects without the medium of light and atmosphere; fish cannot swim out of water; and no more can embodied beings keep incorporeal company with things ideal. Some corporeal factor will always intrude itself, even if the mind be most fully detached from the visible world and at its most recollected when it attempts to engage with its invisible kin.” – St Gregory the Theologian

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The Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius on August 7 is part of a bigger thread weaving itself throughout next year’s Eclipse cycle. Eclipses usually come in sets of two and we will see a New Moon/Solar Eclipse in the sign of Leo on August 21st which will be visible across the United-States. Much ink has been spilt about ”The Great American Eclipse” and I invite you to read a thorough analysis on Skyscript by my colleague Wade Caves.

Eclipses across the Leo-Aquarius axis will continue until August 2018 and this must be taken into consideration when speculating on the outcome of this particular Full Moon/Lunar Eclipse in Aquarius.

The Full Moon in Aquarius will take place next to the South Node of the Moon which is why it will be a Lunar Eclipse. The South Node of the Moon is also called the Tail of the Dragon or Ketu in Indian Astrology. It is sometime said that the South Node of the Moon is a point of spiritualization. Circumstances which have reach their fullness in the material world are ready to disintegrate, disappear, and go back into the void. Since the South Node of the Moon is currently traveling in the sign of Aquarius that part of the zodiac is ripped for transformation.

Aquarius is linked to eccentric figures and iconoclast who do not care for social conventions. Aquarius might at some level crave recognition but also seem to be totally self-sufficient in those regards. Being ruled by hard ass Saturn means that Aquarians are somewhat cold and distant even aloof when it comes to the language of the heart.

The sign opposing Aquarius is Leo and it is in the Lion’s den that the North Node of the Moon is currently residing; it is here that the other half of these eclipses will take place. The sign of Leo rules the heart and so Aquarians have much to learn in the next year when it comes to the language of the heart. The series of Eclipses on the Leo/Aquarius axis will see the Water Bearer connecting to their emotional centre. If this does not happen willingly it will be out of necessity or circumstances which pushes Aquarius folks to open up at the risk of loosing important connections.

The Full Moon on August 7 is at 15º in the middle decan of Aquarius and so the rebels and the misfits could find themselves having to surrender parts of themselves in order to stay afloat. Ancient stories and old ghosts could resurface with an important message before taking a forced offering and vanishing into the void. Exorcising stale assumptions about oneself is never easy especially for this very ”Fixed” part of the Zodiac. A tight grip on independence and individuality could potentially aggravate relationships in the next year. A honest offering of what is contained within the heart will help pay for the crossing to the other shore.

Norval Morisseau
1964
Self-Portrait entitled Devoured by Demons

THE ORACLE

Projections and shadows will combine to create a dim spectacle. The union of heart and mind cannot be solved for the moment. One wishes to have a cold and solid heart, a respite, but the heart is too full. Disengaging from love which controls without logic one craves a solitude which doesn’t come easily. Detaching from the centre that unites while focusing on that same centre, the mind loses clarity. What is perceived as outside the self has a tight hold and is depleting to one’s own conception of reality and what matters. The urge is to dissociate from the mass hysteria while not being able to unplug. One must courageously stare into the darkness while anticipating what lies ahead. There is an uncontrollable urge to reach the light coming from a distant promise. The scholar holds the book of knowledge and doesn’t want to let it go. The Self must be surrendered one way or another. Recognition will not come forth but once the grasp of individuation slowly releases, information will come rushing in. Trusting the heart is a work in progress. Resistance will only aggravate loneliness.

Who is most likely to be affected by these Eclipses

People born with the Sun, Moon, Ascendant or Nodal Axis in Aquarius or Leo.

People born with important planets (Sun, Moon) or their Ascendant in Scorpio and Taurus.